This Fearless Girl (St. Clary's University #2) - E. M. Moore Page 0,9

“I’m sure one of your admirers is outside, so they can take you back to that ritzy house on the edge of town. I have shit to deal with or I’d take you myself.”

I sit there as he exits, his footsteps landing hard against the wooden walkway outside. They don’t let up. He expects me to follow him, and I will because I have no other choice.

I’m not safe here. My world is closing in, picking people off my trustworthy list one at a time. If this was why my father kept to himself, I get it.

Slowly, I stand, pull my shoulders back, and follow Cole out of my dorm, making sure to lock up after I leave. He waits for me at the top of the stairs. When he sees me coming up behind him, he smiles at me like I’m a good little girl.

He leads me down the steps, and I search the parking lot for the silver Audi. Lucas spots us first, and he’s up and out of the car, marching toward us while Cole barks out a laugh. “Easy there, I’m hand delivering Dakota since she’s safer with you three than anywhere else. Isn’t that right, Dakota?”

I glare at Cole. He knows I don’t want to do this. They all know.

“Take care of her, Govern,” Cole says. “There will be consequences if you don’t.”

4

Cole and Lucas eye each other before the former walks off, disappearing around the side of the building. Lucas’ gaze flashes with anger before turning back to me. He steps forward, moving his hand around my shoulders to stare into my eyes. “Did he hurt you?”

I shake my head, still feeling the tightness in my throat from Cole’s rough grip.

His jaw feathers as he releases me. “Come on. Let’s get you home.”

I groan, making it clear what I think about Stone’s house being referred to as my home. My home is currently a pile of wreckage because of Cole, Lance, and the other members of the group who showed up that day. It was the only thing I had that was purely Dad.

If there’s anything good to come out of it, it’s that Stone pulled my family’s research out ahead of time.

My stomach flipflops as Lucas drives us out of town. I try to calm my beating heart, but I can’t help but wonder if the Jacobses did ask Dickie about my family? It wouldn’t surprise me. But did Dickie actually give them any information?

“I know you don’t want to be here,” Lucas says as he pulls into Jacobs Manor. “But we want you here. It sucks Lance made you doubt us because things were going great the day before...”

“Yeah, before,” I state, hoping he’ll drop the subject. Even if Stone didn’t tell his dad where we were, I still have a right to be mad. The Jacobses dragged me into this. Look what’s happened to me since—my house, Dickie…I shot someone.

“Have you eaten?” Lucas asks, forcing me back to the present.

“You don’t need to feed me.”

Lucas makes an abrupt stop in the garage. “I’ve been worried sick about you.” He throws the car into park. “I don’t need to feed you, but I want to. Does that make it clearer, Wild Girl?”

The passion in his eyes calls to me. Every time.

He throws his door open after I don’t say anything. “At least you’re back here, and we don’t have to worry about you over at the dorm by yourself.”

“I don’t think Cole would’ve taken no for an answer.”

“I guess that’s the way we should play it from now on.”

I snap my mouth shut and scorch him with a look that I hope puts the fear of God in him. “I’m not an idiot, Lucas. I know what we need to do. I would’ve come back eventually, but I needed space.”

“So, we’re back to square one?” He waits for me by the front of the car with his brow hitched.

I eye him for what feels like forever, then shrug. Honestly, I don’t think I could go back to the beginning with Lucas. Nor do I think I want to. I’m hoping he is who I think he is.

I turn to head toward the door to the house, but Lucas catches up to me and pulls back on my hand. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you earlier, but I’m so sorry about Dickie.” He steps up, leaning down so his forehead hovers over mine. I get the impression he wants us to